The math curriculum uses specifically designed Montessori materials to present abstract math concepts in a way that is more concrete for the child.
These materials are not only intentional in their purpose, but the Montessori teacher is also very precisely trained on how to use these materials to instruct the child. In this way, the Montessori math curriculum exposes children to more versatile and advanced content in a way that is accessible to all learning styles.
This hands-on approach is very consistent throughout the curriculum, with all details of the Montessori math manipulatives remaining constant. For example, the bead bars the child uses for counting, then adding, and eventually multiplying are always the same color, which makes the concepts clearer for the child as the lessons grow each other because the child knows what to expect.
When all other aspects of the lesson are held constant, the child can focus on each individual skill the work aims to teach. Just as the child builds upon the pre requisite skills and uses them to develop more advanced skills, through the Montessori math curriculum, the child also uses the same materials that build upon each other and create consistency amongst the consecutive math concepts. This ensures that every child has ample practice with each math skill through a stable series of activities that are used in succession.
There is a set process that the child follows to work their way through the vast math curriculum in a logical and organized way. This creates within the child a deeper understanding of fundamental math skills, and the child is then prepared to transfer to these skills to other learning experiences.
The Montessori math curriculum is able to create the solid foundation from which all other math is built upon, while also exposing children to the most advanced of content when they are ready. These higher-level math activities include adding and subtracting with 4-digit numbers through the bank and stamp materials and multiplying and dividing through the number beads and multiplication and division boards.
The Montessori child is able to grasp even these more difficult concepts because they are presented in an orderly and hands-on way that makes sense to the young mind eager to be stimulated.